How To Get Your Toddler Into A Sleeping Routine

Setting up a sleeping routine for your toddler is tough. When they’re small, babies want to sleep with their parents; they’re extremely attached to the mother, meaning that you’ll have difficulties putting them to their own bed. However, it’s not something impossible to do. The secret is to understand them and attempt to make the transition step-by-step.

Step 1: 12-18 months

During this period, you should expect your toddler to want to walk a lot. Frequent walking, or attempt to walk is something natural. In some cases, the urge to walk happens at night. You shouldn’t ask yourself why they wake up. In most cases, toddlers wander around the house at night because they have a hectic routine during the day.

You could read them a book, or play them a story to soothe them down. From a child’s development point of view, it’s a tricky age. Your toddler now realises that if his eyes are closed, you will leave. Music and storytelling will help them fall asleep peacefully. Teach your toddlers how to drift off, and be there when they fall asleep. He must know he’s not alone.

Step 2: 18 months – 3 years

After 18 months, your child’s sleeping issues may start earlier. Most toddlers have an insane amount of energy. They never want to go to bed. Their imagination runs wild around this period and they’re eager to play all the time. You should be prepared.

Toddlers should be in bed by 9 pm. Otherwise, they’ll be sleep-deprived, and they won’t want to go to bed at all after that hour. Soothe them or read them a story before bedtime. It’s very important to have patience, and try to instill them a sense of responsibility. It will also help later as they grow up.

Step 3: 3 – 6 years old

By this age, your child should sleep all alone. Some won’t want to do that because they crave attention from their parents. Others are terrified that if they fall asleep something bad will happen. Talk to them and explain in detail you’ll be by their side all the time. After they’ve fallen asleep, check on them to see how they’re doing.

Do the “I’ll be back trick” for a few weeks to see how it’s working. After 2 weeks, expand the timeframe to 10 minutes, and then 20 minutes. A lot of toddlers are very attached to their parents – that’s okay. But you need to set some boundaries early on, otherwise your kid will want to sleep in bed with you several years in a row.

For example, you could tell them that if they behave, you will take them some place nice the following day; or that you’ll spend the day together, doing something fun. The options are endless because the child now has the ability to understand what they want. There are special cases when the toddler is still terrified after being left alone in the room. Leave the lights or the TV on; their favorite childhood toy can also help soothe them.

Regardless of your child’s age, sleeping problems should be seen as common. It is important though to be consistent. Talk to them about the importance of sleep, and tell them that 8 hours of sleep every night helps them be healthy and energised. Use tricks to get them into bed, like bedtime stories or an educational movie. If you’re persistent, you’ll see in time that everything will work out just fine. Don’t forget to reward your toddlers for good behaviour; this will motivate them to sleep alone at night, and not whine all the time that they’re afraid.

By Genie Price Relationships are hard work. You have four kids, work, doctors and dentists – you are both busy. With little time for yourselves...

My ChildAugust 3, 2017

This is a place to find not only wholesome and simple parenting reads and information, but encouragement, humour and motivation for your journey as a caregiver. At My Child Mag, it is truly our greatest heart’s desire to help others find encouragement and fulfilment through the best digital magazine experience possible.